All of this money is being spent on building new facilities such as the biotechnology center, which in my opinion will mainly benefit graduate students and professors doing research, not the “lowly” undergraduate. There is also eMPAC, whose use I have yet to determine; and a parking garage. And I have still haven’t seen any improvements in my department. I am dreading my senior year as a chemical engineering student because I know I’ll have to enter “the lab,” which is home to 50-year-old equipment. Now, I appreciate new things being built but it’s also important to upkeep the old. How can we be a good research university with near ancient machinery?

There is also money being spent on “security,” but who is feeling more secure? Going into the Troy Building is like entering enemy territory. Trying to enter your classroom, or even use the bathroom or vending machines requires being hassled for your ID, which not everybody makes a point to carry. Also, if this new security is for the students, then why was the first building it was implemented in one with so few classrooms? Now, I do have to say that I think having the card readers is a good idea, so that you can use the labs at night and feel safe, but being hassled during the day is a nuisance, not to mention the fact that it’s degrading.

If you haven’t had an issue dealing with security in the Troy Building, try studying in the library at night. I recently spoke to a fellow student on campus who alerted me to the fact that being in the library near closing time has become a near capital offense. The person I am referencing went outside for a moment, noticed that it was near closing time, and then proceeded back inside to pick up her things. Upon re-entering the building she was rudely spoken to and the only thing that seemed important to the security that was called was getting her ID, which of course was upstairs with her things. That same night, one student was even brought to higher authorities because he had forgotten his ID.

I always appreciated the trust that this university used to have for students. You could always find a lab open or an empty classroom if you needed to do work, but things are changing and it’s very unnerving. Who voted to make these changes anyway? I am a member of the RPI “population,”—why wasn’t I asked? You all should be asking yourselves the same question.

I don’t think I’m alone on my feelings, which is why I felt compelled to address the problems that I’ve been noticing. I hope that the “improvements” made will really make this university a better one. We all need to make sure to voice our concerns, but the problem is who really has the time?

Melissa DeShon